Panda Express guest stunned as employee stands on fryer while cleaning

A video has emerged purportedly showing a Panda Express employee stepping around food while cleaning a frying station, as meals were being prepared. 

Paul Elisha Finger, who captured the footage, told Storyful that he “noticed the gentleman jump on the fryer that the lady had just put food into” when he visited a Panda Express location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in early July. 

The worker then “started spraying the chemical and wiping [while] standing right over the food,” according to Finger. 

“I could not believe my eyes,” Finger told Storyful. 

A Panda Express spokesperson told FOX Business on Tuesday that “We acted immediately when the video was first brought to our attention.”

“The behavior shown does not meet our food safety or workplace safety standards. We took corrective action, conducted retraining, and reinforced safety procedures with the restaurant team and in the region. The safety of our guests and associates remains our top priority,” the spokesperson added.

The video shows a female employee reaching through the cleaner’s legs to drop a bowl of food into one of the fry baskets, as the male worker apparently was cleaning the exhaust hood area of the fry station. 

A shocking video shows a Panda Express worker cleaning a frying station with chemicals while food was being prepared in Milwaukee. Paul Elisha Finger via Storyful

Paul Elisha Finger filmed the employee spraying chemicals near food, prompting Panda Express to take “corrective action.” Paul Elisha Finger via Storyful

Panda Express says on its website that its food is a “flavorful combination of Chinese regional cuisine and technique with bold American tastes.” 

“Panda Express, the nation’s largest Asian restaurant chain, has revolutionized American Chinese cuisine. Founded in 1983, the family-owned business has grown into a culinary powerhouse, seamlessly marrying authentic Chinese flavors with American tastes,” adds Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., on its website.

“With over 2,600 locations worldwide, Panda Express has played a pivotal role in popularizing American Chinese cuisine to millions around the world.”